Civil Servants

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When a member of the House of Lords requests a civil servant to forward his or her views to a Minister, whether there is an obligation on the civil servant to undertake such a task.

Baroness Amos: No. There is no such specific obligation on civil servants. However, civil servants are aware of the importance of briefing Ministers fully, taking into account the advice that they are offered.

Northern Ireland: Crime Reduction Targets

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why in the Northern Ireland Office autumn performance report 2003, they have set modest targets for reducing burglary, vehicle thefts and theft from vehicles, but none for diminishing murders, bombings (including petrol bombings) or paramilitary shootings and assaults.

Baroness Amos: The Government in agreement with HM Treasury did not set specific targets in SR2002 for reducing murders, bombings and paramilitary attacks. However, systems are in place for the monitoring of major security incidents, breaches of public order and serious violence against the person. The Government want to see a complete and permanent end to all forms of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland and will continue to work hard towards this goal.

Romania: Care Centres

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the result of the recent visits by representatives of the Department for International Development to foster care centres in Romania; and whether the visits also included orphanages.

Baroness Amos: There have been no recent visits by officials of the Department for International Development (DfID) to childcare centres and orphanages in Romania. However, DfID is providing technical assistance to the Romanian National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption (NACPA) to improve the standards of care for abandoned and homeless children placed in institutions.
	DfID-funded consultants advising the NACPA have supported the development of an inspection, monitoring and evaluation system for childcare services in Romania. These consultants have visited childcare centres and orphanages with the NACPA in order to support a series of pilot inspections. This will contribute to a national programme for inspection, monitoring and evaluation being developed by the Government of Romania with the support of other donor agencies.

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the immigration and visa section at the British High Commission in Islamabad is now providing a full service.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As a result of the security situation in Pakistan there were three partial evacuations of staff at the High Commission in Islamabad between October 2001 and May 2002. The visa section has operated a restricted visa service since June 2002.
	We are working towards restoring the full visa service in Pakistan this spring.

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many appeals against refused visa applications were received in all categories in 2003 from Pakistan; and how this compares with appeals against refused visa applications from Canada and Australia.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The table below shows the total number of applications lodged, applications refused, and appeals received, by our visa sections in Pakistan, Canada and Australia during 2003. A direct comparison of appeal statistics across different countries would be misleading. Citizens of Canada and Australia are not visa nationals and therefore do not require a visa to visit the United Kingdom. However, they must obtain entry clearance to come to the UK in another immigration category, such as working holidaymakers. Citizens of Pakistan on the other hand are visa nationals and would therefore require a visa to visit the UK. A substantial proportion of the appeals lodged in Pakistan relate to refusal for family visits.
	
		
			  Pakistan Canada Australia 
			 Number of applications lodged in 2003 99,679 18,285 33,683 
			 Number of refused applications in 2003 14,012 135 48 
			 Number of appeals received in 2003 3,349 10 1

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to continue to use Gerry or Fedex private courier services for future visa applications to the British High Commission in Islamabad once a full service is resumed.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is likely that a courier service will be retained for the foreseeable future. The contract for Gerry's or Fedex will be reviewed in June 2004.

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will support the service provided by the Immigration Advisory Service in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: No. Her Majesty's Government do not support the Immigration Advisory Service provision of offices outside the United Kingdom but the High Commission in Islamabad will continue to liaise with any reputable organisation, which offers fair and impartial advice to applicants.

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether all United Kingdom visa applications from Pakistani students for the 2003–04 academic year were processed in time for the start of that year.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Statistics show that of the 14,315 applications for student entry clearance received last year at our High Commission in Islamabad, 13,089 were processed by 31 December 2003. Unfortunately these statistics do not break down in a way that indicates how many were processed in time for the start of the 2003–04 academic year. However, I can confirm that staff at our High Commission in Islamabad prioritised student applications over the period immediately before the start of the academic year.

Pakistan: Visas

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to resume the family reunion visa service in Islamabad.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Entry clearance applications for family reunion from close family of those accepted as refugees in the UK have been accepted at the visa section of our High Commission in Islamabad since 22 January 2003.

Afghanistan

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What response they have made to the report of the United Nations Secretary General to the General Assembly (A/58/616 of 3 December 2003), and in particular to the conclusion that the international community must decide whether to increase its level of involvement in Afghanistan or risk failure.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The report of the United Nations Secretary General to the General Assembly (A/58/616 of 3 December 2003) was discussed by the Security Council on 15 January in conjunction with a further report (S/2003/1212 of 30 December 2003). We agree with the Secretary General's assessment in that second report that "a great deal has been achieved". The recent approval of a new constitution was a further significant milestone in the Bonn process.
	But we recognise that a great deal remains to be done, not least as the Afghan Government prepare for national elections. The UK and the international community remain committed to Afghanistan. We have increased our bilateral development assistance from the £200 million pledged in January 2002 to £322 million. For further details of international and UK assistance to Afghanistan please refer to the Afghanistan fact sheet available in the Library of the House.
	A number of other developments, in which we are involved, illustrate the sustained and increasing international commitment. UNSCR 1510 expanded the mandate of the Internal Security Assistance Force (ISAF); work is now in hand to plan and resource ISAF activities outside Kabul. The network of provincial reconstruction teams is being substantially extended across Afghanistan. UK-led work to tackle drugs production continues; a joint UK/Afghan/UN international conference in Kabul on 9 February will seek additional international support for counter-narcotics activities. The Afghans also plan a wider international donor conference for the spring.

Afghanistan

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What information they have about the identity and timing of the appointment of a successor to Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative on Afghanistan.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We understand that the United Nations Secretary General is still working to identify a successor to Mr Lakhdar Brahimi as Special Representative on Afghanistan. The UK is taking every opportunity to impress upon the UN and international partners the importance of appointing a successor quickly, to continue the good progress already made under the Bonn agreement.

Eritrea and Ethiopia

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the result of the visit by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Chris Mullin MP, to the Horn of Africa; and what response was made by Eritrea and Ethiopia respectively to his plea that the independent Border Commission's decision on the boundary between the two states should be accepted.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Chris Mullin) visited Eritrea and Ethiopia from 13 to 19 January. He met President Isaias of Eritrea and Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia. They discussed a range of issues, including the border dispute between the two countries. The Minister reiterated to both parties that the decision of the Boundary Commission is final and binding. Neither party contested this, but the Ethiopian Government have some reservations about the implementation of the decision.

Zimbabwe: England Cricket Tour

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the status report on Zimbabwe outlined in the letter of 23 January from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the England and Wales Cricket Board, they will make a recommendation on whether the England cricket tour to Zimbabwe in October 2004 should go ahead.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The decision on whether to tour Zimbabwe is for the England and Wales Cricket Board to make.

Iraq: Local Councils

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the local and provincial councils in Iraq are directly elected.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Local and provincial councils throughout Iraq have been established, to varying degrees, through a mix of appointment, caucus-based elections and consultations. After the transition, it will be up to the new provisional Iraqi government to consider local governance under the terms of the Transitional Administrative Law—until a new constitution is in place by the end of 2005.

Western Sahara

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they will take, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, to secure Morocco's adherence to the United Nations peace plan for western Sahara within the three-month extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for a Referendum on western Sahara.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We will continue to urge Morocco to engage constructively with the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy, James Baker III, on the current Baker peace plan for western Sahara, to reach a solution that is acceptable to all parties and which allows for self-determination for the people of western Sahara.

Middle East: Gaza Settlements

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are encouraging the government of Israel to develop and implement their proposals for removing settlements from the whole of the Gaza strip.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: As we have made clear, we consider all settlements in the Occupied Territories illegal under international law and an obstacle to a comprehensive peace in the region. The Government regularly press the Israeli Government to freeze settlement activity and dismantle outposts in line with Israel's commitments under the road map. Any withdrawals consistent with the road map and which can help to produce a lasting solution are to be welcomed.

Voluntary Work: Insurance

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to reduce burdens of liability and regulation that fall upon individuals undertaking voluntary work.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The burdens of liability and regulation that fall upon individuals undertaking voluntary work have been the subject of close interest by this Government for some time. Formal representations on these issues have rightly been directed to the Home Office, which is responsible for the voluntary and community sector, to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which is leading a government review of the employers' liability insurance system, and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), which is leading a government review of regulatory issues.
	The Active Community Unit in the Home Office set up the Insurance Cover Working Group (ICWG) in July 2002, to look into insurance difficulties for the voluntary and community sector and advise on practical solutions. The ICWG engaged consultants Alison Millward Associates to undertake a study into the current position regarding the provision of insurance for the voluntary and community sector, including employers' liability, public liability and professional liability, and to make practical recommendations that will bring relief to the problems. The consultants' report was delivered to the ICWG in June 2003.
	The DWP-led review of employers' liability aimed to assess the case for reforming employers' liability compulsory insurance (ELCI) and to identify the objectives and options for such reform. The second stage of its report was published at the end of 2003. The Better Regulation Task Force, acting for the DCA, aims to publish its findings later this year.
	Action is already being taken following the publication of the DWP review and following careful consideration and wide consultation, a cross-departmental response to the consultants' proposed action plan is being drafted by the ICWG. This will be published at the beginning of March. All the accepted practical recommendations of these reports will be implemented in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, the insurance industry, local authorities and government departments.

Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 26 January (WA 5–6), whether, in accordance with the recommendation of the Newton committee and the terms of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, both Houses of Parliament will be given the opportunity to debate all the recommendations of the Newton committee separately from deciding whether to renew the provisions of the Act.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave to my noble friend Lady Hayman on 19 January (col. 840). There will be separate debates in both Houses.

Good Practice Safety Guide

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State at the Home Office, Hazel Blears MP, on 11 November 2003 (HC Deb, col. 246W), when they intend to publish the event safety best practice guide.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The guide, which is now likely to be called the good practice safety guide, provides guidance to organisers of sporting and non-sporting events. We are currently awaiting clearance on the final draft from key partners. We expect that it will be published shortly.

Local Authorities: Local Advocacy Plans

Lord Ashley of Stoke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place a statutory requirement on local authorities to produce a local advocacy plan.

Lord Rooker: The Government have no plans to introduce such a requirement.

Gulf War 1990–91: Vaccines

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When Ministers were first made aware of the report dated 22 September 2001 by Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Howe, of the British Forces Health Service in Germany, on Lance Corporal Alexander Izett's previously unexplained illnesses after receiving multiple vaccinations for his intended deployment to the Gulf for the 1990–91 conflict.

Lord Bach: I refer my noble friend to my Written Answers of 26 January 2004 (Official Report col. WA 10) and 28 January 2004, (Official Report, col. WA 43). The medical report in question was requested in order to assist with assessment of an individual war pensions claim and was specific to that case. Ministers are not involved in the determination of individual claims and were not, therefore, made aware of this report until it was first raised by the media on 12 January 2004.

A400M: Defensive Aids Sub-system

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many of the 25 A400Ms on order by the United Kingdom will be fitted with the defensive aids sub-system.

Lord Bach: Nine A400Ms will be delivered fitted with the defensive aids sub-system (DASS). The remaining 16 aircraft will be delivered ready for DASS to be fitted.

Obesity

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the annual cost to the National Health Service of problems associated with obesity and excessive body weight; and what estimates have been made of the annual cost of these problems to the United Kingdom economy, measured in terms of absences from work, social security benefits, premature retirement and early mortality, or any other indicator.

Lord Warner: The National Audit Office report Tackling Obesity in England, published in 2001, estimated that the direct cost to the National Health Service of treating obesity in 1998 was £9.5 million. Treating the consequences of obesity cost the National Health Service approximately £469.9 million per year, or about 1.5 per cent of the total NHS expenditure for that year.
	Combining the direct cost of £479 million and indirect costs (earnings lost due to premature mortality and sickness absence) of £2.150 billion, the total estimated cost of obesity in England in 1998 was £2.6 billion. If the prevalence of obesity continues to rise at the present rate until 2010, the annual costs are estimated to increase by £1 billion, to £3.6 billion.
	The total number of incapacity benefit (IB) beneficiaries at August 2003 was 1.5 million, of whom 900,000 have a diagnosis of obesity. The average weekly amount of IB in payment to people with a diagnosis of obesity is £78.85.
	The Secretary of State for Health announced on Tuesday 3 February 2004 a period of consultation on a public health White Paper. This will provide the overarching framework for work on diet and nutrition, physical activity (tobacco and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)), and obesity that the Department of Health and other government departments are already engaged in. The consultation will trigger a wide-ranging debate with the public, the media, industry, voluntary groups and health professionals about how the nation can best tackle issues like obesity, smoking and STIs.

MMR Vaccine

Earl Howe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the research currently being conducted by the Moyne Institute of Preventive Medicine in Dublin into developing a vaccine to combat measles, mumps and rubella relying on recombinant ribonucleic acid instead of live viruses holds out the prospect of fewer adverse reactions; and whether they will monitor the results of this research.

Lord Warner: The work is funded by the European Union and will be carried out by Professor Atkins at Trinity College Dublin. The research involves using a novel genetic engineering technology to develop vaccine viruses which cannot replicate in human cells and therefore may in theory cause fewer adverse reactions than the current vaccines containing whole live attenuated viruses. However, this technology is very new and there is no guarantee that these novel vaccines will be as efficacious or as safe as the current products. The Department of Health will be asking Professor Atkins to provide regular updates on his work.

Carers

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the number of carers employed by local authorities in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Lord Warner: The estimated whole-time equivalent number of care staff employed by local authorities' social services departments as at 30 September 2002 (the latest date for which data are available) was for (a) England 78,230, and for (b) Wales 8,940. These exclude field social workers, central strategic and other administrative and support staff. The figure for Wales was provided by the National Assembly.

Smoking

Lord Chadlington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of people aged 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; and 18 smoke.

Lord Warner: The information is given in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Percentage of young people aged 13 to 15 who regularly smoke cigarettes - England, 2002
		
			  Percentages 
			 13 years 6 
			 14 years 16 
			 15 years 23 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A regular smoker is defined as usually smoking at least one cigarette a week.
	Source:
	National Centre for Social Research/National Federation for Education and Research—Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2002.
	
		Table 2: Percentage of young people aged 16 to 18 smoking cigarettesEngland, 2001
		
			  Percentages 
			 16 years 23 
			 17 years 27 
			 18 years 26 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics—Living in Britain. Results from the 2001 General Household Survey.

Schools: Relationships Education

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many and what proportion of secondary schools in England and Wales are regularly delivering relationships education as part of the curriculum to all pupils; and
	How many and what proportion of secondary schools in England and Wales which are delivering relationships education as part of the curriculum have one or more teachers who have been trained specifically to deliver this subject.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: All secondary schools are expected to deliver education about relationships through the framework for personal, social and health education (PSHE), and through compulsory sex and relationship education (SRE).
	Precise information about the numbers of teachers trained to deliver PSHE is not held centrally. However, latest evidence from Osted indicates that three out of five secondary schools have participated in in-service training relating to PSHE. In 2003 we rolled out a professional development programme for teachers of PSHE which includes a specialist module for SRE. Over 700 teachers in primary, secondary and special schools are currently taking part and 3,000 teachers will be targeted in 2004–05.

Schools: Relationships Education

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have any plans to increase the teacher training facilities for relationships education.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The standards for the award of qualified teacher status, set out in Qualifying to teach, already require all trainees to be familiar with the programme of study for citizenship and the national curriculum framework for personal, social and health education (PSHE) relevant to the age range they are trained to teach. Qualifying to teach is supported by the Handbook of Guidance, which is updated regularly and contains exemplification material relating to PSHE and citizenship.

Nursery Education

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of annual grants to local education authorities in (a) England and (b) Wales to assist them in the provision of nursery schooling.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: In England, local education authorities receive funding through revenue support grant through the calculation of education formula spending shares for early years provision. The under-five sub-block in the education formula spending share calculation for 2004–05 was £2.67 billion. Authorities receive funding based on the number of four year-old pupils they have and the greater of the number of three year-old pupils or 85 per cent of their three year-old population.
	Local authorities may also draw on the general Sure Start grant, worth some £1.2 billion for the period 2004–06.
	The position in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly. lynne

Nursery Education

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the number of fully-qualified professional nursery teachers employed by local education authorities in (a) England and (b) Wales; and
	What is their estimate of the number of nursery assistants engaged in nursery schools in England and Wales.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: In January 2003, in England there were 1,490 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers, in maintained nursery schools and 7,190 in maintained primary schools who regularly worked in nursery classes. There were also 1,910 FTE teaching assistants (with certificate or diploma in childcare and education or equivalent) employed in nursery schools and a further 22,790 in primary schools.
	There were 90 FTE teachers and 90 FTE qualified nursery assistants in maintained nursery schools in Wales in January 2003, and a further 2,500 FTE nursery assistants in primary schools. Data showing the number of teachers who regularly work in nursery classes in Wales were collected for the first time in January 2004 and results will be available later in the year.

Children

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whom they consult in order to obtain the views of parents in relation to any Green Paper or other consultation document which relates to the care, education or parenting of the nation's children.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government regularly consult representative bodies such as the National Family and Parenting Institute (NFPI) which brings together all of those with expertise in the family and parenting field; the Parenting Education and Support Forum, a national umbrella organisation for those working in parenting education and support and Parentline Plus which operates a free telephone helpline on any parenting concerns, runs parenting workshops, produces information material and a website, and is currently piloting an e-mail helpline service.
	Documents are distributed widely so that other organisations and individuals can respond if they so wish.

Schools: Extended Services

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements are being made for the funding of extra costs incurred by "extended schools"; and
	Whether schools which are not able or willing to operate extended after-school programmes for their pupils will be allowed to enter into partnerships or other arrangements with providers from the private or voluntary sectors to run programmes on school premises; and whether such arrangements would qualify for grant or other support.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Department for Education and Skills has made £12.6 million/£23.8 million/£97.2 million of funding available for the main extended schools programme and £2.8 million/£7.6 million/£14.7 million through the Sure Start unit for the childcare element of the programme over the period 2003–04 to 2005–06. Additionally, a small amount of funding has been made available to help join up the extended schools programme with community cohesion and neighbourhood renewal programmes.
	Funding may be used by schools to cover the costs of staff to help to develop and manage the extended services, including managing relationships between different agencies, and may also cover additional staffing and revenue costs, capital adjustments and transport costs associated with extended school activities. Funding is being rolled out over a three-year period. Over one third of LEA areas have benefited so far and the funding will reach all LEA areas by April 2006.
	Guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills in October 2002 states that there are no restrictions on who may set up programmes or services. It gives advice about the key groups to be consulted and suggests that schools may work in partnership with local and national community and voluntary groups and clubs, and businesses. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Library.

Broadband

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given the comments of the e-commerce Minister at the Revolution at the Edge: Broadband Networks and Innovation conference, what level of importance they attach to installation of fibre networks capable of carrying high-speed broadband.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government attach great importance to creating an extensive and competitive market in the provision of broadband services using a variety of technologies. We expect that there will be an increasing demand for faster and more symmetrical services over the next few years and that increased investment in fibre-optic networks is likely to be one of the outcomes of this progress in the market. Decisions on where and when networks will be deployed will be predominantly for the market. However, the Government will continue to encourage investment where they can; for example, aggregating the demand for public sector connectivity through the Broadband Aggregation Programme will create fresh opportunities for further investment by industry in infrastructure for high speed broadband.

Waste Electrical andElectronic Equipment Directive

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, requiring electrical goods manufacturers to recycle worn-out appliances, will be introduced into United Kingdom law.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The UK and other member states are required to transpose the WEEE and ROHS Directive by mid-August this year. The Government are therefore planning to lay regulations this summer.
	The main requirements of the WEEE Directive take effect a year after the transposition date in August 2005.

Royal Parks

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why police cars and motorcycles regularly drive along footpaths in Hyde Park; and whether they consider that this is in the interests of pedestrians using those routes.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Along with high visibility and mounted patrols, these vehicle patrols comprise an important aspect of the Royal Parks policing strategy. They are very much in the interests of those using the footpaths as they reassure visitors and deter crime in the park.

Drug Free Sport Directorate

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the strategy report presented to UK Sport by Focus Consultancy entitled UK Sport Review of Relationships within the Drug Free Sport Directorate.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The report prepared by Focus Consultancy was not a strategy report. It was a confidential review of a range of equality issues in the Drug Free Sport Directorate of UK Sport, designed to help to inform the organisation's equality and diversity strategy. As such it explores a number of internal matters and it is not appropriate that the report be published.

Penrose Inquiry

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the results of the Penrose inquiry into the collapse of Equitable Life.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Treasury intends to publish the report as soon as possible. I will continue to keep the House fully informed.

Public Finances

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the United Kingdom has breached the European Commission's strict 3 per cent public deficit ceiling.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: In light of the Pre-Budget Report projections, the UK continues to meet a prudent interpretation of the stability and growth pact that reflects low debt and long-term sustainability more generally, the need for public investment in the UK, and which takes into account the economic cycle.

Footpaths: Motorised Vehicles

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they intend to take to combat the increasing use of bridleways and footpaths by motor cycles and other motorised vehicles.

Lord Whitty: On 9 December 2003, the Government published a public consultation paper, Use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way. We propose to develop a strategy to promote better use of the extensive powers that already exist to deal with vehicle misuse on rights of way. As a first step, we will issue shortly a government circular promoting good enforcement practice. In addition, we are proposing new legislation to limit the ability to claim motor vehicular rights over footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Employees

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many people were employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in each of the years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Lord Whitty: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was created in June 2001. The number of permanent staff employed in the department was 7,970 in October 2001, 6,980 in April 2002 and 6,690 in April 2003.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Consultations

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many consultations have been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since its inception; how many of them are complete; and how many have resulted in an action programme.

Lord Whitty: The department has issued 222 consultations since its inception, of which 193 are complete. All responses to Defra consultation exercises are thoroughly analysed and taken into account in the development of policies and proposals. We do not hold information centrally on how many have resulted in a formal action programme, but many have led to proposals being changed in response to stakeholders' comments, or have contributed to the development of policies or UK negotiating lines.

Sheep: Electronic Identification

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to issue further guidance on the use of identification boluses in lambs, particularly in respect of the size of the bolus.

Lord Whitty: Electronic identification boluses are currently being used as a component of the national scrapie plan. All field staff who administer boluses for the NSP, both SVS staff and local veterinary inspectors, undergo practical training in bolus administration which incorporates detailed guidance on the size of bolus to use for different weights of sheep. The size of bolus in use has been kept under review and changes to the bolus used have been made as the scheme has progressed based on experience gained. The most recent update to guidance was issued to all staff on 22 October 2003. In addition to the national scrapie plan use of bolus, the Government are anticipating the widespread use of this technology in the future and have just launched a pilot project on a minimum of 50 commercial sheep farms to assess how industry can make best use of electronic identification and to identify any issues that may arise. Feedback from both the national scrapie plan and the government trial will inform future guidance to the industry on the use of electronic identification including boluses.

London Markets

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When a decision will be taken about the future existence of the four City of London markets (Billingsgate, Leadenhall, Smithfield and Spitalfields).

Lord Whitty: The future of these markets is a matter for the Corporation of London.

Special Advisers

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 3 December 2001 (WA 91), whether they will update the list of special advisers, envoys and advocates, indicate which post holders have resigned since then, and provide the date on which each resignation became effective.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: At 3 February, Ministers had appointed the following special advisers: The Prime Minister Jonathan Powell David Hill Sally Morgan Hilary Coffman Geoff Norris Roger Liddle Andrew Adonis Katy Kay David Bradshaw Kate Garvey Catherine Rimmer Liz Lloyd Alasdair McGowan Chris McShane Simon Stevens Carey Oppenheim Justin Russell Patrick Diamond Sarah Hunter Matthew Elson Arnab Banerjee Jo Gibbons Sara El Nusiari Julian Le Grand p/t Matthew Taylor p/t Angela Goodchild p/t John McTernan Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State Joan Hammell Ian McKenzie Paul Hackett p/t Chief Whip (Commons) Sue Jackson Fiona Gordon Chief Whip (Lords) Margaret Ounsley Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Bill Bush Nick Bent Secretary of State for Defence Michael Dugher Secretary of State for Education and Skills Robert Hill Lisa Tremble Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sheila Watson Stephen Hale Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Ed Owen Michael Williams Secretary of State for Health Richard Olszewski Steve Bates Paul Corrigan Secretary of State for the Home Department Matt Kavanagh Katherine Raymond Huw Evans Leader of the House of Lords, and Lord President of the Council Matthew Seward Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor Gary Hart Phil Bassett Secretary of State for International Development Alex Evans Beatrice Stern Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Smith Adam Higgett Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal Greg Power Phil Taylor Secretary of State for Scotland Iain Gray Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Jim Godfrey Roger Sharp (unpaid) Kitty Ussher p/t Deborah Lincoln Secretary of State for Transport Andrew Maugham Chancellor of the Exchequer 1 Ed Balls, Chief Economic Adviser Ian Austin Spencer Livermore Chief Secretary Nicola Murphy Jonathan Ashworth Secretary of State for Wales Andrew Bold Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Chris Norton Tom Clark Minister without Portfolio Martin O'Donovan Patrick Loughran
	The Government regularly publish details of special advisers currently in post, updated to reflect resignations as necessary.
	Lord Birt continues as an unpaid strategy adviser to the Prime Minister.
	Sue Nye is an unpaid adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	Andrew Pinder holds the position of e-envoy.
	Sir Ewen Cameron, Chairman of the Countryside Agency, holds the position of rural advocate on an unpaid basis.
	1 In addition the Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed Paul Gregg (p/t), Shriti Vadera, Stewart Wood and Michael Jacobs to the Council of Economic Advisers on special adviser terms.